Benefits Project Manager

Benefits Project Manager

The Benefits Project Manager will provide dedicated project management and operational support for ARC's annual open enrollment and benefits administration transition activities. This position will coordinate activities among Human Resources, benefits consultants/brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, technology vendors, payroll, finance, and other stakeholders to support a successful open enrollment and transition into the new benefit plan year. The Benefits Project Manager will manage timelines and deliverables, coordinate vendor implementation activities, support system and data testing, assist with employee communications, document processes, identify and escalate risks, and help ensure operational readiness. This is a temporary, project-intensive assignment supporting ARC's annual open enrollment and benefits administration transition. The position requires the ability to work independently, manage firm deadlines, and maintain close communication with HR leadership, with increased availability during critical enrollment, testing, implementation, and go-live periods.

This temporary position is not eligible for benefits; working up to 29 hours per week. And the payrate for this position is up to $43.00 per hour depending on experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage the overall open enrollment and benefits transition project plan, timeline, milestones, and deliverables.
• Coordinate activities and implementation requirements across HR, benefits consultants/brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, technology vendors, payroll, finance, and other stakeholders.
• Track deadlines, dependencies, outstanding decisions, risks, and implementation issues and provide regular status updates to HR leadership.
• Coordinate benefits system testing, eligibility and enrollment data validation, payroll deduction review, vendor file feeds, and post-enrollment reconciliation.
• Support transition activities associated with changes in benefits partners, vendors, systems, and administrative processes.
• Coordinate vendor meetings, document decisions and action items, and follow up on outstanding deliverables.
• Review and document benefits administration processes, workflows, calendars, contacts, escalation procedures, and roles and responsibilities.
• Coordinate open enrollment communications, employee guides, FAQs, presentations, meetings, webinars, and other educational activities.
• Assist with employee enrollment questions and resolution of complex benefits issues.
• Identify operational gaps or implementation concerns and escalate issues requiring HR leadership attention.
• Coordinate final implementation and go-live readiness activities and support stabilization following the start of the new benefit plan year.
• Prepare transition documentation and materials for handoff to permanent HR staff.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriate security of employee benefits information.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits, benefits administration, HR operations, project implementation, or a related area.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating annual open enrollment.
• Experience coordinating benefits vendor, system, or administrative implementations.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple vendors, stakeholders, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Knowledge of employee benefits administration, open enrollment, benefits implementation, and vendor transitions.
• Knowledge of benefits systems, eligibility and enrollment processes, payroll deductions, vendor file feeds, and reconciliation.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, vendors, stakeholders, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional implementation activities and effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze data, identify discrepancies and risks, resolve operational issues, and escalate matters appropriately.
• Ability to develop and maintain project plans, timelines, documentation, procedures, and status reports.
• Ability to communicate complex benefits information clearly through written materials, presentations, meetings, and employee education.
• Ability to work independently, meet firm deadlines, and maintain confidentiality of employee benefits information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Atlanta Regional Commission